Our campaign is played on a fictional map, with fictional forces present. See earlier posts for more information.
The Mexican irregular cavalry and American volonteers, that had been beaten in a fight against the Belgian/Austrian force, had gone south after pillaging the bagage train of the Belgians, who had fled into the moutains seeing the large federales force coming after them.
The Austrains and Imperial dragoons had gone south finding supplies in Cuatlapanga in M10.
French Col. Peeters (Peter), commander of the French forces in Fort San Hernandes, learned about the combined force of Federales and irregular Mexicans coming towards him. He called for help from French Col. Stevin (Steven) and Major De Brand (Patrick) of the Belgian Austrian Force.
Col. Stevin had gone into the Sierra Borrado to look for the rebels, but found La buffa empty and waited for more news. Learing about the large federales force on the way to San Herandes, he started to move West and South. Maj. De Brand Moved westwards over the road, but found the rebel force of "Capitán Fuego" (Siefried) on his path, the same for a company of Col Stevin zouaves advancing from M9. Both sides called for reinforcements: the irregulars received assistance of 4 compagnies of federal militia (green) Dispatched by federal col. Celestal (Thomas), while the zouaves received help of 1 canon and crew, and 4 squadrons of veteran cavalry of Chasseurs d'Afrique. Major De Brand had 2 weakend squadrons of dragoons, 2 companies of veteran Austrian jägers and a squadrons of Contra-Guerrillas lancers.
L9 is largly a mountaines square no well suited for cavalry actions.
Patrick had lost several officers in the previous encounter and had a reduced number of command dice.
The command dice problem also occured for both Steven and Siegfried.
Stevens' zouaves had only one lower officer withone command die to controle both the company and the artillery piece. The officers of the cavalery were both two dice commanders, but always the risk of not throwing a "C" or a flag.
Siegfried had 4 command diece for his irregular cavalry and American volonteers, which would give him enough control, but for the 4 compagnies of militia, he had to throw 4 command dice seperatly as these unit did not belong to his command.
Federal col. Celestal (Thomas) had dispatched these milita units to slow down the imperial forces and to prevent them from palying a role in the major battle which will take place at San Hernandes.
The French cavalry had dificulties moving through the hills and at a certain point were in danger from being attacked in the flank while advancing in column.
The zouaves and the battery started targeting the American volonteers, and also the Austrian jägers in skirmish formation jointed in. The volonteers taking several casualties, and were forced to withdraw. Two militia units deployed to face the dragoons and Austrians. After a first volley, the Austrian skirmishes charged, forcing back one militia unit to make a run, but taking casualties themselves.
Bad command dicing and the low number of command dice to throw was a problem for Patrick, not able to take full advantage of the weaknes of the milita units. With turn 6 reached, Siegfried, according the campaign rules, was allowed to start retreating. The Austrian jägers inflicted more casulaties to the milita unit but they waere able to leave the field without major losses. The irregular cavalry avoided contact al together, with the French cavalry not been able to join the fight.
The imperial forces were victorious, but the federal focres had reached their goal. As the battle for San Hernandes is taking place at the same time in the campaign, no imperial reinforcements can be there in time.
